Sunshine State Buccaneers
April 17th, 2015
When the Bucs were the beast of the NFC, their romping, stomping best, kicking offenses to the curb left and right, the team was loaded with stud players from Florida.
Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, Warrick Dunn, Shaun King just to name a few. It was a winning formula, especially when Miami, Florida and Florida State were the kings of college football.
In those days, you had to beat the state of Florida champion to win a title.
With Florida State, Florida and Miami once again filling the NFL Draft with top-shelf talent, Joe’s good friend Justin Pawlowski of Scout.com thinks it is time to revert to those good ol’ days.
Why stop with FSU? If the Buccaneers are looking for offensive line help, and they should be, all eyes need to be on Gainesville. The Gators produced one of the most athletic tackles in this year’s draft in D.J. Humphries, but it doesn’t stop there. OT Chaz Green has been getting some increased buzz and could be a late round steal in the 6th round. OG/OC Max Garcia has also seen increased buzz and could also present himself as a day 3 steal.
Offensive linemen aren’t the only position the Gators produced. Matt Jones could be a nice day 3 pick as a big running back that can carry the load. The Bucs have also shown significant attention to for Gators DT Leon Orr, who’s projected as a day 3 pick.
Let’s not forget about Miami. Denzel Perryman might be my favorite middle linebacker in this draft, but his style doesn’t really fit what Lovie Smith likes to do on defense. I know the Bucs really like OT Ereck Flowers, but he’ll likely be gone by round 2. However, Phillip Dorsett’s speed would fit in any offense. Dorsett could be a steal if he falls to the top of the 3rd round, and fit that slot position with the Bucs. The Buccaneers could also use a pass rusher, and Miami’s Anthony Chickillo might end up being a steal at the top of round 4
Hey, it worked once, why not again? Joe is rather fond of this concept, especially with Tampa Bay out of the NFC Central (now NFC North), and playing in Chicago and Green Bay each season. And let’s not forget guys from Florida playing college ball out of state.
Pawlowski has a Bucs mock draft only players from Florida selected by Bucs general manager Jason Licht. You could do a whole lot worse, that’s for sure.
April 17th, 2015 at 4:39 am
Jeez, Joe. It’s 4am. Get some sleep.
Howard is only up because he fell asleep at 8 and needed
to get some stuff done before tomorrow.
April 17th, 2015 at 6:03 am
Hell I love the early morning updates….never a dull moment that’s for sure. Keep’em coming Joe!!
April 17th, 2015 at 7:07 am
The more players the Bucs have from Florida schools the better the Bucs will be. These kids already know how to play in the heat so it doesn’t bother them and they can just go out and play.
April 17th, 2015 at 7:42 am
I second that, especially the UM players who always seem to play better once they get to the professional level and get some real coaching to go with their talent. If Golden could coach, Dorsett would have been in the same breath as Cooper and White.
April 17th, 2015 at 7:51 am
4 am post? JOE DOESN”T GET TIRED! thats dedication right there. Unmatched by any other Buccaneers coverage. Keep up the good work Joe your loyal readers appreciate and respect your efforts
April 17th, 2015 at 8:01 am
Shawn King?
April 17th, 2015 at 8:46 am
I love the thought of that
1st Winston
2nd R.Greene wr Fsu
3rd T.Jackson ol Fsu
4th H.Matius ol Fsu
5 Ch.Green ol Fl
6th M.Garcia ol Fl
7th A. Davis wr Usf
7th K.Williams rb Fsu
April 17th, 2015 at 9:24 am
@Mayne One:
Greene is no where near a second round pick, slot receiver is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down the list of needs…….ran a slow 40 as well…..
April 17th, 2015 at 10:19 am
Weather is a factor, that’s what I like about Winston. He is used to playing in this humid jungle weather, likewise other players here in Florida. It doesn’t bother me, my windows are open year round.
April 17th, 2015 at 11:17 am
Don’t tell this to skyline,I think he’s against too many of our picks coming from the state of Florida.
April 17th, 2015 at 2:28 pm
Terrible idea… pick the best players, forget where they’re from… if everything else is equal, go with a Florida guy.